Blue2112
Well-Known Member
I've been away from here for a long time, although I still like to lurk and read what goes on but the pull of posting again is growing ever stronger - so here goes.
40 years ago today I can remember exactly where I was - Middlesbrough, the magistrates court to be exact. A train up to Darlington and a connection to Middlesbrough, to plead guilty and apologise for my poor behaviour for causing a breach of the peace at a certain public place called Ayresome Park. I recently came across a court document for it whilst going through my parents belongings as they both died a couple of years ago and which my Mam had kept amongst some other memorable stuff from my youth, bless her. I was 18 at the time, just two months away from my 19th birthday. The folly of youth!
I remember the day clearly, much clearer than the arrest itself to be fair and it's because of the train journey home where I lost count of all the bonfires we passed by that it sticks in my memory. My parents came with me and I left the court with my ears ringing and a £50 fine, which was a lot in 1984. Probably a weeks wage and a day's lost pay, not to mention the cost of the train journey and the shame and embarrassment of it all. I actually think I got off well with the fine as a lot of lads I knew were getting bans at the time as the authorities were coming down hard on football fans. To be fair I was genuinely regretful of what I did.
The game itself was played at M'boro's old ground Ayresome Park, an intimidating ground on the best of days surrounded by rows of terraced streets. Similar I suppose to Maine Road and how an opposing fan might feel going there. I had met a City fan on the Friday night in my girlfriends local pub and asked could I jump in their van the following morning and go up with them. My Dad told me not to go as I didn't know a single one of them but I was young, immortal and life was dangerous and exciting. So early Saturday morning off I headed in a van full of Blues I had never met, booze, weed and a warning from my girlfriend not to mention I was a Catholic (not that I was particular strong or practicing at the time). I think we stopped off at a pub somewhere on the way and I'm almost certain the police dragged us out of the back of the van when we parked up, in those days on the side street next to the ground and not an official designated car park miles away. The signs were already there but I was far too drunk to notice.
It was Saturday 20th October in the old English Division Two, with not so huge a crowd in attendance 7,737 (we was shit long before York) and not unsurprisingly we lost 2-1 (did we ever win at M'boro) Steve Kinsey scoring for City. Billy Mcneil was the manager, Andy May played his 50th appearance and Darren Beckford if I'm not mistaken made his City debut at the age of 16. Google is a wonderful tool. I don't recall anything other than being led around the side of the pitch and behind Alex Williams goal and trying to shout over to him. The next thing I was in the back of a Police Van and back at the station for fingerprints and an id number photo. Another 80's usual suspect football hooligan for the records.
The police let me out after writing out my statement and without my input, telling me to sign it or I'd be staying in for the night, I willingly obliged. I just wanted to get out of there and back home and having a quick read of it whilst rapidly sobering up, it didn't seem too bad. With next to nothing in my pocket the police told me to call my parents and get them to take some money to their local police station and they would ring it through to the Middlesbrough station and they would give me the train fare back which would probably be Sunday morning by the time it all went through. Before I could set the wheels in motion I spotted some Blues in the station and asked for a lift home. I didn't know it was Donald and the Mayne Line Service Crew at the time until I got into the van which had no windscreen just a Union Jack tied over the passenger side in a vain attempt to defy all the odds and hold back the wind on the journey home.
The journey back to Manchester was a whole other experience and best left for another post sometime maybe never. However I cannot thank those Blues enough for coming to my aid and helping me get home. I had long hair and was into heavy rock (still am) and I was made to sing 'A Hole in my Shoe' by the Young Ones half the way home and it still gives me chills if ever I hear it again HAHA!
I can remember getting the late bus home sometime after 1pm from Piccadilly, partly buzzing with the day and partly terrified of what was facing me from my Dad when I get home bless him. With hindsight we've all done daft things but it's what shapes you and it's how you respond and move forward.
Today my young cousin gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and whilst I have a glass in one hand to her good health I can't help wondering just where have 40 years of City and bonfire nights gone?
40 years ago today I can remember exactly where I was - Middlesbrough, the magistrates court to be exact. A train up to Darlington and a connection to Middlesbrough, to plead guilty and apologise for my poor behaviour for causing a breach of the peace at a certain public place called Ayresome Park. I recently came across a court document for it whilst going through my parents belongings as they both died a couple of years ago and which my Mam had kept amongst some other memorable stuff from my youth, bless her. I was 18 at the time, just two months away from my 19th birthday. The folly of youth!
I remember the day clearly, much clearer than the arrest itself to be fair and it's because of the train journey home where I lost count of all the bonfires we passed by that it sticks in my memory. My parents came with me and I left the court with my ears ringing and a £50 fine, which was a lot in 1984. Probably a weeks wage and a day's lost pay, not to mention the cost of the train journey and the shame and embarrassment of it all. I actually think I got off well with the fine as a lot of lads I knew were getting bans at the time as the authorities were coming down hard on football fans. To be fair I was genuinely regretful of what I did.
The game itself was played at M'boro's old ground Ayresome Park, an intimidating ground on the best of days surrounded by rows of terraced streets. Similar I suppose to Maine Road and how an opposing fan might feel going there. I had met a City fan on the Friday night in my girlfriends local pub and asked could I jump in their van the following morning and go up with them. My Dad told me not to go as I didn't know a single one of them but I was young, immortal and life was dangerous and exciting. So early Saturday morning off I headed in a van full of Blues I had never met, booze, weed and a warning from my girlfriend not to mention I was a Catholic (not that I was particular strong or practicing at the time). I think we stopped off at a pub somewhere on the way and I'm almost certain the police dragged us out of the back of the van when we parked up, in those days on the side street next to the ground and not an official designated car park miles away. The signs were already there but I was far too drunk to notice.
It was Saturday 20th October in the old English Division Two, with not so huge a crowd in attendance 7,737 (we was shit long before York) and not unsurprisingly we lost 2-1 (did we ever win at M'boro) Steve Kinsey scoring for City. Billy Mcneil was the manager, Andy May played his 50th appearance and Darren Beckford if I'm not mistaken made his City debut at the age of 16. Google is a wonderful tool. I don't recall anything other than being led around the side of the pitch and behind Alex Williams goal and trying to shout over to him. The next thing I was in the back of a Police Van and back at the station for fingerprints and an id number photo. Another 80's usual suspect football hooligan for the records.
The police let me out after writing out my statement and without my input, telling me to sign it or I'd be staying in for the night, I willingly obliged. I just wanted to get out of there and back home and having a quick read of it whilst rapidly sobering up, it didn't seem too bad. With next to nothing in my pocket the police told me to call my parents and get them to take some money to their local police station and they would ring it through to the Middlesbrough station and they would give me the train fare back which would probably be Sunday morning by the time it all went through. Before I could set the wheels in motion I spotted some Blues in the station and asked for a lift home. I didn't know it was Donald and the Mayne Line Service Crew at the time until I got into the van which had no windscreen just a Union Jack tied over the passenger side in a vain attempt to defy all the odds and hold back the wind on the journey home.
The journey back to Manchester was a whole other experience and best left for another post sometime maybe never. However I cannot thank those Blues enough for coming to my aid and helping me get home. I had long hair and was into heavy rock (still am) and I was made to sing 'A Hole in my Shoe' by the Young Ones half the way home and it still gives me chills if ever I hear it again HAHA!
I can remember getting the late bus home sometime after 1pm from Piccadilly, partly buzzing with the day and partly terrified of what was facing me from my Dad when I get home bless him. With hindsight we've all done daft things but it's what shapes you and it's how you respond and move forward.
Today my young cousin gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and whilst I have a glass in one hand to her good health I can't help wondering just where have 40 years of City and bonfire nights gone?
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